Helper wrestlers get down early, but finish strong in victory over Canyon View

The Helper Junior High's wrestling team continued their good start to the 2011-12 season with another victory against Canyon View Junior High last week.

HJH head coach Phil Howa said the team has been doing well in the early part of the season with many new wrestlers still working on their grappling skills.

In the match against Canyon View, HJH fell behind early in the lower class weights but began a series of wins in the middle and higher weight classes to take the 57-33 victory.

The teams competed in 16 different weight classes.

In the 75 and 87 lbs weight classes, Helper forfeited and HJH wrestler Austin Crowther lost by pinfall in the 81 lbs weight class, giving Canyon View the early lead at 18-0.

HJH was able to string together three wins in the 93, 99 and 105 lbs weight classes with Ryan Hansen, Kasey Hunt and McCoy Brinkerhoff each winning by pinfall in their weight classes respectively to tie the match at 18-18.

Canyon View was able to get two more victories in the 111 lbs weight class as HJH's Jacky Burge lost by decision to CV wrestler David Bird and in the 118 lbs weight class Kallon Curtis defeated HJH's Robbi Jewkes to give CV the lead 27-18.

In the higher weight classes, HJH won seven out of the last eight matches to push past Canyon View for the win.

At 124 lbs, Alex Ruiz won a 13-9 decision over CV's Abram Halford. At 132 lbs, HJH's Johnny O'Hearon defeated Race Nielson by pinfall. HJH's last loss of the match came at 140 lbs, as CV's Matt Mecham defeated Kyler Wood by pinfall.

Helper put together five straight wins in the higher weight classes as Ryan Atwood, at 148 lbs, won by pinfall, tying the match at 33-33. At 155 lbs, HJH's Caleb Urrutia won his match by forfeit giving HJH the lead for the first time, 39-33. HJH finished the match with three straight pinfall victories as Rylan Brinkerhoff (165), Nathan Pratt (175) and Marcus Santi (heavyweight class) won in their respective weights to give HJH the win.

Helper Junior High's next wrestling match will take place as they travel to faceoff against San Rafael today starting at 3:30 p.m.